Georg Lassen German submarine officer Date of Birth: 12.05.1915 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Naval Career
2. Commanding U-29 and U-160
3. Decorations and Accomplishments
4. Later Career

Early Life and Naval Career

Karl-Heinz Lassen was born into a military family in Kiel, Germany, on March 27, 1918. He received his education at a naval cadet school and began his service on September 25, 1935, as a cadet. After being promoted to fenrich on July 1, 1936, and lieutenant on April 1, 1938, Lassen served as a 1st watch officer on the submarine U-29, commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Otto Schuhart, from August 1939.

Commanding U-29 and U-160

On January 3, 1941, Lassen became the commander of U-29, which joined the 24th Training Flotilla and did not participate in combat missions. Lassen took command of U-160 (Type IX-C) of the 10th Flotilla on October 16, 1941. In his first patrol to the shores of the United States (March – April 1942), Lassen sank six ships (43,560 GRT).

Decorations and Accomplishments

Lassen was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on August 10, 1942. While patrolling the Caribbean region from September to December 1942, he sank 10 ships totaling 58,235 GRT. On the night of March 4, 1943, Lassen sank six ships in less than five hours, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves on March 7, 1943. Overall, Lassen commanded U-160 on four patrols, spending 328 days at sea.

Later Career

From June 14, 1943, Lassen served as a company commander and instructor of tactics at the 1st Training Submarine Division in Pillau. He received the U-Boat War Badge with Diamonds on October 22, 1944. Throughout his military career, Lassen sank 26 ships totaling 156,082 GRT and damaged five ships totaling 34,419 GRT.